The pussy willow or sal willow is an ornamental shrub that can also be grown as a tree. Here are all the tips for planting and care.
Pussy willows are a wonderful childhood memory and are still among the special early bloomers that can become a real highlight in the garden. The pussy willow (Salix caprea) has already endured a long ordeal. While it could still be found on every corner in spring a few decades ago, today it is a real rarity. The joy when a pussy willow appears in nature is therefore great. It's even nicer when they grow in the garden.
Willow pussy profile - origin and homeland
Where exactly the pussy willows actually come from is not known. The Sal willow seems to have its origins in Europe, among other places. But the shrub can also be found in Asia and North Africa. The hardy plant makes no great demands on its surroundings. She can deal with heat just as well as with cold. It is exciting to know that the catkins that appear when they are in bloom are protected. So if you go for a walk, you shouldn't just cut off branches from a free-standing willow. One reason for this is the high sugar content, which serves as an important food source for bees.
| Dangling pussy willow (Salix caprea) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | Large Shrub |
| Growth: | 50 - 80 cm |
| Growth: | 30 - 60 cm |
| Flowering: | March to April |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | sandy, loamy, undemanding |
Pussy Willow - the best location
Pussy willows need a lot of light. Therefore, they value a sunny to partially shaded location. On the other hand, the composition of the soil is relatively unimportant. The requirements of the kitten willow are low. For optimal growth, it is worth choosing a moist and loamy soil. The earth can be a little acidic. If there is rather dry sandy soil in the garden, you don't have to do without the catkin pasture. However, the growth could thenturn out a little more sparse.
Planting pussy willow in the garden
You can also plant pussy willow in the garden in spring. The Sal willow can be grown both as a shrub and in the form of a tree. In order to preserve a tree, care should be taken when planting to cut off competing shoots and only leave the strongest shoots.
» Tip: Bees really appreciate it when they find pussy willows in the garden. Having a pussy willow bush in the garden gives the bees a very good start to spring.
Watering and fertilizing pussy willows
The care of the pussy willow is quite simple. Mulch can be used to ensure that the roots do not dry out, especially in dry sandy soil. It is not absolutely necessary to water the pasture additionally. The soil should only be watered slightly during longer dry periods.
To speed up the growth of the pussy willow, you can provide the shrub with additional nutrients. The best way to do this is to spread compost around the trunk.
Propagating pussy willows
To propagate pussy willow, use seed maturity. The seeds of the catkin willow are germinable over a period of 14 days. Breeding takes place in a seed tray. We recommend:
Here you put in moist potting soil and put the seeds directly into the substrate. The seed tray is not covered. Once the seedlings have developed, they can be planted out.
Recognize diseases and pests on pussy willow
In fact, the willow is very susceptible to pests and diseases. Willow scab and rust occur as well as leaf spot disease or powdery mildew. Pests such as sawflies, aphids, spider moths or the gall midge can also cause problems for the plant.
A reaction is necessary when an infestation with the willow borer appears. The problem with this pest is that the caterpillars get into the trunk and cause a lot of damage here. Externally, you can see an infestation in the drill holes and the shavings trickling down. The diseased parts of the plant must be removed and disposed of with household waste.
Cutting pussy willow
In order to get nice and large shoots of the pussy willow, the tree or bush should also be pruned regularly. After the shoots have finished flowering in spring, they are cut back. The rest should be as short as possible. As a result, theCrown even more beautiful and dense. If you prefer the willow to grow on all sides, you don't have to cut back.